Rock Chalk Recycle to Launch this Fall
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas Athletics, in partnership with KU Recycling, is helping to launch the Rock Chalk Recycle waste-diversion program this fall at all KU home athletics events. The waste diversion effort will include recycling and composting inside and outside all sports complexes, including Memorial Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse.
“The University of Kansas is committed to sustainability on a regional and global scale,” University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said. “Rock Chalk Recycle will be a major part of our broader initiative to engage the entire KU community in building sustainable traditions that benefit our planet, our economy and our health and well-being.”
In recent years Kansas Athletics and various student and community groups have coordinated smaller-scale efforts to recycle in tailgating areas during home football games. Those organizations included KU Recycling, student organizations including KU Environs, and Recycle & Blue KU, as well as Cans for the Community, a local nonprofit organization that donates proceeds from aluminum cans to other local organizations. While fans eagerly supported these efforts, the organizations expressed a desire for a more centralized, expansive program in and around the stadium. Rock Chalk Recycle will accept plastic, glass, aluminum and cardboard materials, as well as compostable items, both inside the stadium and at select locations on the Hill.
“We all have a responsibility to maintain our environment and Kansas Athletics is proud to lead this effort on the KU campus,” said Athletics Director Sheahon Zenger.
With football season on the horizon, tailgaters and fans should look for waste stations with color-coded bags: blue for recycling, green for compost and grey for waste destined for the landfill. Tailgaters should be prepared to put their recyclables in blue bags that waste ambassadors will distribute throughout the major tailgating areas surrounding the stadium. Rock Chalk Recycle will have similar waste stations and waste ambassadors at soccer and volleyball matches for this fall.
KU Recycling will be recording weights for trash, recycling and composting after each game to track progress throughout the season. Diversion rates for events will be posted online and be compiled at the end of the year. Kansas Athletics will provide funding for the program, including a majority of the bins, liners for the bins, gear for the ambassadors and signage.
Rock Chalk Recycle will require large numbers of volunteers to ensure the program’s success. Cans for the Community, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and other student organizations have committed volunteers to the new Rock Chalk Recycle program, but additional volunteers are needed to staff waste stations and assist patrons with sorting. To become a volunteer, please email rockchalkrecycle@ku.edu or visit recycle.ku.edu/rockchalkrecycle for more information.
KU Recycling is a program of the Center for Sustainability, a campus department that promotes a culture of sustainability at the University of Kansas in order to protect natural ecosystems, create economic prosperity and treat all people with equality and respect. The Center works across campus to support sustainable practices in operations, education, research, and campus life. KU Recycling provides recycling services throughout the Lawrence Campus, including administrative and student athlete areas in Kansas Athletics facilities.
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